Chicago Botanic Garden

Education — Lenhardt Library

Current Books & Book Reviews

PHOTO: bookcover

Janet Whittle.
Janet Whittle’s Watercolour Flowers: An Inspirational Step-By-Step Guide to Colour and Techniques.
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, U.K.: Search Press (distributed by Trafalgar Publishing, Independent Publishers Group, Chicago), 2007.
cloth, 128 pp., ISBN 978–1–8444–8132–3, $29.95.

Well-known for her watercolor artistry, British artist Janet Whittle provides practical tips on the techniques for creating beautiful floral paintings. She reviews the materials and equipment necessary for the artist before she discusses directions for a project. Using her completed paintings as examples, she explores color, composition, and drawing in preparation for a new work. The text then covers the techniques used to achieve hard and soft edges, how to create shadows and sunshine, and even rain on flower petals. Stunningly beautiful color photographs of her paintings capture the beauty of flowers, inspiring the reader and artist.

— Marilyn K. Alaimo, garden writer and volunteer, Chicago Botanic Garden.